RESEARCH

Design Considerations

Sizing, Fit, Ergonomics, and Manufacture of Wearable Technology

Most of the exciting developments in smart clothing and wearable technology happen first in the lab: in controlled environments using a small number of prototype garments and devices. Before they can be manufactured and sold, there are many additional challenges to be addressed. For example: a garment with embedded sensors may work well when it is custom-designed to fit a specific person, so that the sensors end up in the right places. What happens when that same garment is made into a range of sizes and sold off-the-shelf? Where will these sensors end up on differently-shaped people? Our work looks at identifying key barriers to mass-production of wearable technology and smart clothing, and charting the lay of the land for each of these areas so that manufacturers can make good decisions and develop better products.